EMBER’S POV

“Do you—” I pick at a thread on the blanket, not looking at him. “Do you think I’m strong enough?”

“Strong enough?”

“For my powers. For any of it.” The words come harder than I expect, and my cheeks go hot, almost embarrassed. “Because I don’t think you do. Yesterday, when you got mad, I think that’s the real reason you were so scared I’d die using them. Why you’re so scared. Because, maybe, deep down, you think I’m fragile. Some little breakable thing that needs saving. That can’t be trusted to handle what’s inside her without it killing her.” I make myself say the worst of it....